Which type of tissue has the ability to repair itself through fibrosis?

Fibrosis is the process by which the body repairs damaged tissue through the formation of fibrous connective tissue, often leading to scar formation. Cardiac muscle has a limited ability to undergo repair through fibrosis after injury, such as in the event of a heart attack. While cardiac muscle cells do not regenerate effectively, surrounding connective tissue will often replace damaged regions with fibrous tissue, which results in scarring.

Skeletal muscle can regenerate to some degree through satellite cells; however, it does not rely primarily on fibrosis for repair. Smooth muscle also has a degree of regenerative capacity, but again, it does not predominantly operate through fibrosis. Therefore, the unique condition of cardiac muscle, where fibrosis plays a significant role in post-injury repair, supports the correct answer.